Postal workers collect food for needy

Postal workers in Macomb and Oakland counties will not only deliver the mail on Saturday but they will also collect food from homeowners on their routes for the less fortunate in the area.

Carriers Don Whitaker of Roseville and Sherri Rutledge of Sterling Heights are stewards at the U.S. Post Office in Sterling Heights representing the National Association of Letter Carriers. They and thousands of volunteers across the country will pick up food they hope will be left at mailboxes on Saturday.

“We will give the food to the local food bank to feed the hungry,” Whitaker said Thursday while preparing to go on his route. “We certainly hope everyone has it in their heart to leave some food by their mailboxes so that we can deliver it to the Macomb County Food Bank and various food pantries.”

Kim Dontje, postmaster of the Sterling Heights Post Office on Metropolitan Parkway, said postal employees have been involved in the food collection program 21 years.

Employees, retired employees, their family members, friends and anyone who likes to help the needy have been involved in the program since its inception.

“There is a great need to help those less fortunate,” Whitaker said. “You would be surprised how many people out there need our help.”

Whitaker said all of the food goes to food banks in the county where it is colletced. People should donate cans of food and vegetables, cereal, rice and dry goods.

Donors to stay away from glass that can easily break and cause problems.

“We would like people to donate non-perishable items,” Whitaker said.

Postal residential customers can leave food by their mailbox all day on Saturday. If they forget, they can put out a package filled with food on Monday.

“These people do an outstanding job,” Dontje said. “I’m real proud of them.”